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Singer R Kelly has been released from jail after paying more than $161,000 (£123,680) in child support to his ex-wife, ending a second recent spell behind bars after an earlier arrest on sex assault charges.
An anonymous benefactor reportedly helped him “scrape the money together”.
The performer, 52, was arrested on Wednesday over unpaid support for three children he has with Andrea Lee.
Sam Randall, from the Cook County sheriff’s office in Chicago , said the source of the payment was unclear, noting that the name section of the bond slip was left blank.
“Anonymity in this situation is pretty rare,” Mr Randall said. “Typically that section of the form is filled out.”
Show all 24 1 /24#MeToo movement – In pictures #MeToo movement – In pictures 2017 A picture shows the messages "#Me too" and #Balancetonporc ("expose your pig") on the hand of a protester during a gathering against gender-based and sexual violence called by the Effronte-e-s Collective, on the Place de la Republique square in Paris
AFP
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#MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Activists and advocates for survivors of sexual abuse, including Democratic candidate for Illinois governor at the time JB Prtizker (left), gather in the Federal Building Plaza to protest the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in Chicago, Illinois after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted out Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh and agreed to an additional week of investigation into accusations of sexual assault against him before the full Senate votes on his confirmation. Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were both teens
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AFP/Getty
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#MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Activists and advocates for survivors of sexual abuse gather in the Federal Building Plaza in Chicago
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#MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Dozens of women and men attend a rally and march in Washington Square Park
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#MeToo movement – In pictures 2017 People carry signs addressing the issue of sexual harassment at a #MeToo rally outside of Trump International Hotel
Getty
#MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Activists and advocates for survivors of sexual abuse gather in the Federal Building Plaza to protest the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh
Getty
Celebrity website TMZ cited sources close to Kelly as saying an unidentified benefactor helped him.
It also reported that the singer was met by screaming fans as he left the jail.
“I promise we’re gonna straighten all this out,” Kelly reportedly said. “That’s all I can say right now. I love my fans.”
Last month, Kelly was arrested and pleaded not guilty to charges he had sexually assaulted three teenage girls and a fourth woman. He was granted bail.
Kelly has denied similar abuse allegations for decades. In 2008, the singer was cleared of child pornography charges.
Since last month he has complained of financial difficulties, claiming many people had access to his bank account and had stolen from him.
He tearfully and angrily rejected allegations that he had sex with underage girls.
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